Environmental activists and
oil producers have fought for years over the potential environmental
impact in states the pipeline will cross. But it's really a proxy battle
over broader issues, like climate change and energy consumption.

Both sides consider Obama's decision a sign of what approach he'll take to energy and the environment in his second term.

Opponents have been
protesting in Washington and Texas. On Capitol Hill, support appears to
be building. A bipartisan group of senators is urging Obama to approve
the pipeline quickly.

After Obama rejected the initial proposal in January, the pipeline's route was adjusted to satisfy some environmental concerns.

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Trump's remarks Tuesday amounted to a rejection of the Republicans, business leaders and White House advisers who earlier this week had pushed the president to more forcefully and specifically condemn the KKK members, neo-Nazis and white supremacists who took to the streets of Charlottesville.

Trump's remarks Tuesday amounted to a rejection of the Republicans, business leaders and White House advisers who earlier this week had pushed the president to more forcefully and specifically condemn the KKK members, neo-Nazis and white supremacists who took to the streets of Charlottesville.